Board looks at fees

Portland Park Board briefly talked about Portland Water Park during its meeting Tuesday.

The board was unable to take any action as only two members were in attendance, leaving it one short of a quorum.

Park board president Brian Ison told fellow member John McFarland and the handful of those in attendance that he will recommend daily water park admission prices remain the same while asking for an increase on annual passes.

After consulting with staff and looking at prices of similar facilities, he said he will recommend leaving daily admission rates to the water park at $5 before 5 p.m. and $3 after 5 p.m. for the 2024 season. Also remaining the same would be $50 for the 10-day pass, $3 admission for senior citizens (62 and older) and veterans, $2 admission for children 2 and younger and a $20 discount on annual passes for members of Jay County Summer Swim Team.

Recommended increases are for annual passes, which in 2023 started at $75 and had $25 increases for each additional individual. This year, Ison said he’s recommending $75 for one person with a $50 increase for each person in the same family up to $325 for a family of six or more.

Also set for a possible increase are pool rentals — up to $125 per hour plus the cost of lifeguards from $75 per hour in 2023.

All water park pricing will be subject to board approval at its next meeting at 5:30 p.m. March 5.

Ison noted that the board will review salaries and training reimbursements for water park staff.

Currently, plans call for opening the water park on Saturday, May 25. Ison said the board will likely evaluate a closing date based on staff availability. (He noted that water park manager has reached out and already secured verbal commitments from 22 lifeguards for 2024.)

Ison also asked if the pool had been inspected to see how the new tile has held up this winter. Street and parks department superintendent Matt Shauver said it had not but that he would visit the facility Wednesday.

In other business:

•Shauver introduced new park manager Ronnie Reynolds, who will take over the position after Shauver’s promotion to superintendent. Reynolds is working toward getting his commercial driver’s license and will go to classes for pool certification later this year.

•Those in attendance talked about graffiti at Hudson Family Park. (It is still in the process of being removed.) Portland police officer Mitchel Rigby suggested adding more cameras — the most recent vandal was arrested and is being prosecuted — to provide coverage to more of the park. Ison asked Shauver to get a quote for adding two or three new cameras.